Interesting, because I did a thread about that on R/T and all the responses I got back were that there were no atheist groups-that people who responded had friends (in other words, they weren't loners), but that they and their friends never talked of religion.

My point was that if any candidate who said they were atheist wanted to have a chance of winning a primary or an election, that person would have to show that they have a moral code. Many people equate the atheistic moral code with what was done in the Soviet Union, where their constitution gave equal weight to freedom of religion and freedom from religion, but which in reality resulted in religious persecution--and mixed up with that is the Stalinist purges and mass starvations.

An atheist politician would have to educate the general public, much like the Catholic presidential candidates had to. Al Smith was the first, and was soundly defeated, in part because of his faith. During the 1960 campaign, I saw literature from fundamentalist Protestants that said things like Catholics were idol worshippers, if Kennedy got into office, the Pope would really rule the country, etc. JFK had to overcome these prejudices and show that he would be independent,which he did via speeches.

Sadly, it is far easier for a scoundrel who seeks public office to wrap themselves up in one of the mainstream religions than it is for a good honest atheist to run for office. But I think this can change with education.

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